Denton's Notebook: Friday, Dec. 28

Your browser does not support iframes. By John Denton December 28, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During his record-setting playing days at Duke University, J.J. Redick was regularly booed by opposing fans because of his good-natured cockiness and his glee in taunting others.

Fanbases in Charlotte and Washington, D.C. still regularly boo the Orlando Magic shooting guard because they are in ACC Country and close to the University of North Carolina and the University of Maryland. When Redick was asked on Friday if he’s surprised that he’s still booed in the District of Columbia, the Magic shooting guard didn’t miss a chance to twist the knife regarding the Duke-Maryland, umm, rivalry.

``It’s weird because UNC, as a school and as a program and as a fan base, I get it. I get the animosity. It’s eight miles apart (between UNC and Duke) and it’s a storied tradition,’’ Redick said. ``The Maryland fan base, I just don’t understand. We’re not rivals. I don’t think any Duke player has ever had a second thought about Maryland basketball, so I don’t get the fans.’’

When Redick left Duke, he was the ACC’s all-time leading scorer and he is still the conference’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made. So Redick was asked if he sees the booing as a sign of respect for him being such a good player during his college days.

``Well, I played with some guys at Duke that also got booed that weren’t good players,’’ he said with a laugh. ``So I don’t know what to make of it.’’

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Because he broke his hand in the Nov. 2 season-opener at home and had surgery the following day, Hedo Turkoglu hadn’t been on roadtrips with the team this season before Thursday’s flight to Washington.

Turkoglu, who is set to make his return to action on Saturday night at the Amway Center against the Toronto Raptors, said among the things he’s missed most is not being around the team. Turkoglu, who suffered his hand injury eight weeks ago on Friday, is beloved by his teammates and most players around the NBA because of his mellow nature and upbeat personality.

Even though he didn’t play Friday against the Wizards, just being around the team again was a welcomed relief, Turkoglu said.

``I’m starting to do more and more with the team and I’m feeling better. So hopefully my time will comes soon and I’ll join the team,’’ Turkoglu said. ``I miss this a lot. This is the part that I miss the most, being around the team. Good or bad times – when they were winning I was missing it and when they are losing I was missing that, too. I just want to be a part of the good and bad days. I’m feeling better and hopefully I’ll get to join them soon.’’

ETC: Magic power forward Glen ``Big Baby’’ Davis continues to rehabilitate the left shoulder that he sprained last Wednesday against the Washington Wizards. Orlando lost the first three games following Davis’ injury, making his pain even worse. Said Davis: ``It’s tough to watch. We’re a team and a family and a loss whether I’m on the court or off the court hurts. I can’t really worry and pull my hair out because I’m dealing with an injury and I have to work my way back. At the end of the day I’m going to try to do all I can around the locker room if I see something to help the guys in some type of way. … Davis has predominantly shunned the shoulder brace that doctors asked him to wear. He said he’s been impressed with the improvement that he’s made so far, but knows he still has a ways to go to where he can get back on the court. ``I’m getting a lot of movement, but it still hurts in ways that I need it,’’ he said. ``Defending bigger guys, pushing off and putting my hand over my head (makes it hurt), so I still have some time to heal.’’ … Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said he liked the aggressive nature that point guard Jameer Nelson played with on Wednesday when he scored 28 points and handed out 10 assists against New Orleans. Vaughn said while he doesn’t have a set number of shots that he wants Nelson to take he does try to put him in positions to be aggressive. Said Vaughn: ``When we’re watching tape, I’ll point out that’s a shot I want him to take and I want him to take it every time. Or I will call sets to put him in a position where he’ll be in a position to orchestrate or take and make shots.’’ … Like most in NBA circles, Vaughn was shocked at how Brooklyn coach Avery Johnson was fired just weeks after winning the Eastern Conference’s Coach of the Month award. But Vaughn said quick firings have become part and parcel with coaching in professional sports. ``It’s what you sign up for,’’ he said. ``Speaking in terms of myself and not anyone else’s situation, but it’s what I signed up for and I’ll leave it at that.’’

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